5 Things You Didn’t Know: Grand Theft Auto

In 2006, another teenaged Grand Theft Auto player committed murder, killing three family members, and Thompson brought a $600 million lawsuit against Rockstar and its parent companies. In 2007, parent company Take-Two Interactive Software settled a $2.75 million class action lawsuit relating to hidden sexual content in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

4- Grand Theft Auto games offer more than 200 side missions

Grand Theft Auto players don’t have an excuse to get bored. They can find hours of entertainment traveling the game’s cities and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Beginning with GTA III, the first open game of the franchise, the games feature close to a combined 400 story missions, with more than 200 side missions. GTA IV leads the way in the latter category. Most impressive is the fact that most missions contain several stages.

While the story missions are integral to your success, it’s perhaps the side missions that are the most fun. Hit the gym to pump a little iron and you’ll see your player bulk up. Visit the tattoo parlor to get inked and you’ll raise your street cred. Hungry? Stop at fast food joints to get some grub. Just remember, don’t eat too many hamburgers or you’ll gain weight and be laughed at by random people on the street. Want to make a few extra bucks? Hijack a taxi and go pick up fares. If you’re a lady’s man, dote over your girlfriends (yes, it’s plural) by taking them on dates to keep them happy. Keeping a handle on these side missions while conquering the game’s objectives will have you glued to your controller.

5- Grand Theft Auto V buzz is already underway

GTA IV has barely hit shelves, but video gamers are already getting primed for GTA V, though there’s no official information about when or if the game will be released. Plenty of gaming sites and message boards have speculations about the potential game, which could be released sometime between 2010 and 2014. Because the franchise’s graphics, story and gameplay get progressively better, fans are hoping the game’s next installment won’t disappoint. Some speculation for GTA V ideas include a multiplayer version that will allow you to put your likeness on a character, the ability to speak (using your own voice) with other characters, open buildings to explore, international travel, and destruction of buildings instead of just vehicles.

While these ideas are all just speculation, there’s no question that if Rockstar wishes to develop GTA V, it will really have to push the envelope.

Because of its popularity, GTA has millions of players who visit gaming sites to discuss strategy, share screenshots and more with their peers. Players who are stumped by a certain part of the game will often search for cheats or at the very least, a way to get around their problem.

The first GTA game was released in 1997 for PlayStation and PC, and since then, in the games and expansion packs since, the franchise has become a huge seller. It is the top-selling video game of its kind.

GTA III, released in 2001, was a departure from the style of the first two games and became the franchise’s first huge success.